A Halton-based holiday firm, fined £20,000 in August after being prosecuted by the council, has announced it is to go into liquidation.

Atlantic Leisure GB Ltd., which had been based at the Auto Quest Stadium, has written to customers informing them that it was in the process of liquidation.

In the letter, customers are advised of a proposal to transfer all future business to another company. Consumers have only been given seven days to accept this offer.

Concerned customers of Atlantic Leisure have been contacting the Halton council's Consumer Protection Division for advice and, despite making enquiries with various authorities, staff have been unable to establish a current address or telephone number for the company named in the letter.

Deana Perchard, principal trading standards officer, said: 'We believe the collapse of this company will affect many consumers in Halton, some of whom have paid out nearly £3,000. While we can advise people on their legal rights we are not able to advise on whether or not they should transfer their business.'

* The Consumer Protection Division can be contacted on 0151 471 7515, or you can visit it at Grosvenor House, Halton Lea, Runcorn.